SSScout

As always, "follow the money". When the leadership forgets the purpose of Scouting (Game with a Purpose), and goes for Numbers and Profit (pay level), Camps will be sold, Councils will merge, Districts will lose their focus. So many CEOs, whether in corporate world or non-profit, go for the cachet of the income level, for the comparison of "you " versus "me" in the CEO list. Corporations suffer and die, but the CEOs move to Aspen. It is the definition of the Council's organization that needs to be remembered and enforced (is that the right word?) Each Council is a franchised, separate corporation. It's Board of Directors, with defined fiduciary responsibility are the Charter Org Reps. Our friend above mentions Owasippee. That case had to go to the Federal Court and newspapers to be settled. Irving was not pleased. The "good ol' Boys" network of Chicago Council was not pleased, but the camp was saved, for the present. Same for a Camp in Massachusetts, yes? Talk to your CORs. Tomorrow, Sunday, I will be Range Safety Officer for Archery at a "Rocket into Scouting" event (Saturday canceled for rain). Cub Scouts will have fun, Rockets will be launched. Some new recruits to the "Game With A Purpose" will begin their journey. Bows ready, take your stance, aim , fire....

Ten Pins. We have a local lane(s) that charges $8 a game. Neon lights, rock music, day-glo balls, computerized scoring (won't let you make a mistake, counts the spares and strikes). no more grease pencil on plastic score sheets with an overhead projector. Push button gutter bumpers to make sure the kids get a ball down the alley. Silicon oil on the alley (when did they start that?) lets the ball slide without "English". I miss Duck pins. Any one up north miss Candle stick pins? Your Jambowlree will be in our next eNews.....

Scouty decorations are QM responsibility? Posters? Crepe paper for B&G? etc. White boards? Big newsprint? Permanent markers or wipe-able? String/rope? Duct tape? Masking/strip-able (painters) tape? Paper and big clips? Tripods/easels? Tripods can be a Pioneering demo. Food: Kitchen behind the scenes provided or self cook over a common charcoal? I've seen both. All cold cuts and bread? Consider food needs /allergies and DONOT provide Peanut Butter a-tall. Staff needs: Costumes? Silly hats? AP paper... (paper towels to you). Tarps for rain protection? Site considerations. Muddy boots/mats? Signage/directions? See you on the trail...

"Build upon the rock". I think I remember reading something like that somewhere. Thanks for the reminder, Qwazse.

"100 percent"? Is the wine/beer/whiskey then being totally donated directly ? Nice arrangement.

"The work is done by whoever shows up" Often , somebody has to make the call and ASK folks to show up. Often, most people don't know there is a need until somebody asks, "hey, we haven't had a Camporee lately, who wants to help?" Often, the only thing that is needed is for someone to point their finger and say "you da man!" and ""Hey, we need YOUR expertise here..."

Ditto to all the above. Fodder for my RoundTableNews. As I teach Fire Safety and Building in IOLS: The Five Things Needed For A Camp Fire In school , one is taught three things are needed for a fire: Oxygen, fuel, and heat. For a Scout, there are FIVE things needed. How do they compare with the three from your science class? Play the “What If†game. Number one, before anything else: 1) The Means To Extinguish The Fire. Before anything else, how will you put it out? Water, shovel, rake, sand/dirt. Have sufficient means and tools collected. Is it out? Test firebed with the BACK of your hand… Douse, stir and douse again. 2) A Safe Area. Remember that 10’ diameter cleared area. Use an established fire pit. If a “new†fire, remember your Leave No Trace guidelines: Fold back the sod, save the sod to cover the burned on bare soil area. Use an above ground fire holder: old wheelbarrow, oil drum, charcoal grill bed, etc. 3) A Safe Atmosphere: Land owners’ permission? Park Ranger’s permission? Is there a Drought? No Fire Ban? Make it as SMALL as necessary, not as BIG as you can! 4) Collect Fuel Before Lighting : Tinder, kindling, fire wood. It is hard to stop cooking to collect more wood if you run low. Set things up carefully before attempting to light. 5) The Means To Ignite The Fire: Be Prepared! Practice in your back yard before you are on the trail. Ceremonial fire? Practice it first before the big night! “No, I thought YOU had the flint and steel!â€.

Such symbolism is often missed by our Scouts, as often as it is misplaced.. I early on decided we had FOUR main promises in the Scout Promise, easily discernable: Duty to God Duty to Country Duty to Others Duty to Self... Since when should our national patriotism be subsumed with out faith? Ultimately, our faith and duty to our faith must define and color how we deal with our country , other folks and ourselves. But to include the two as if they were the same one third of the Scout Promise is not quite right. And yes, I say promise. My faith requires me to NOT "swear an oath" (Mat5:35 to start) but to keep my word given , which folks would call a promise. Yeah, it may be quibbling, but hey, to call such an "oath" is a difference that some call important. Most earlier Scout literature names this bit of ceremoniality the "Scout Oath or Promise", you can even find such nomenclature in a lot of modern Scout literature. "But isn't an "Oath" just a more formal "Promise"? " You might say that, but why make the distinction? Shouldn't my word be enough? Why make it more complicated? We ask our Scouts (and by implication, us Scouters, too) to renew that Promise at many occasions. We even ask them to enlarge upon it with the Eagle Charge discussed elsewhere in these pages. Why is it ever necessary to meddle with perfection? I dare say , if we thought about it, there have been occasions when SOMEBODY thought it would be a good idea to MODERNIZE the Scout Law and Promise. Modernize? Adjust? Make it more "available"? Ranks have been modernized. Merit Badges have been Brought Up To Date. First Class no longer requires Morse Code, or Star Identification. Cooking Merit Badge requires sanitation and disease prevention that was not thought necessary 25 years before. Computers and Robotics become a necessary interest. Is this a "good thing"? I hope so, as our Scouts become more worldly at an earlier age. Referring the Scout Promise to folding the Neckerchief, ummmm. I usually don't roll/fold my necker, but gather it together to stuff thru the woggle. One could get too concerned with perceived symbology (Robert Langdon?) to the detriment of the Game of Scouting.

1963. You do the math. Regular Troop CoH, . We said the Scout Promise, Law, and that was it. SM talks about the "Eagle Trail", I think, Mom pins Eagle pin on shirt, Dad beams, Applause, photo op. punch and cookies afterward. That was it. I was the first Eagle in the Troop, no one else to share it with. No previous examples to compare to. No precedent, I guess. Local newspaper article in my scrap book. 'Course, now, I do remember that I wasn't asked what I wanted. It was just the last part of the usual CoH which was (by tradition) very nice and thoughtfully done. Candles on a log candelabra: Three tall ones in the middle for the Scout Promise pieces (I came to believe there are FOUR parts to the Promise, more on that another time), twelve more for the Scout Law, which were lit in turn by one candle held by the Ceremonialists , as the Spirit of Scouting. I have seen many Eagle ceremonies in the intervening years. I have served as speaker, awarder, and Chaplain to "say a few words". I tend to agree with the overload complaints. The last one I attended, I was not asked to participate, and perhaps that was a good thing. The Scout is a good kid, very much a "Type A" personality, and very involved in the Troop. I expect he will be in Scouting for quite a while yet. He had 87 Merit Badges at age 15. He had , as speakers, his ex-Cubmaster, OA Chapter Advisor from his previous Council, DE from his previous council, the state legislator from our District, pastor from home church (ceremony held in Troop's CO), present Smaster, previous Smaster, summer camp Director, and someone as MC who I did not recognize, but evidently knew the Scout (he was Wood Badge) and had definitely done this MC thing before. His script was in a three ring binder, in sheet protectors. The punch and cookies (Eagle Scout cookies) and cheese and cracker thingies were in the church social hall, served by a caterer. The Scout's scout history was displayed on seven big tables (the mom is a scrapbooker, the older sister is a pro-photographer) around the outside of the room. They had a large extended family in attendance, and a lot of the Troop, and many Scout folks from other areas of his past. It was a BIG affair. I had a good conversation with the Scout's Montessorie Teacher (first grade?) (he did his project for the school), who knew very little about Scouting ("he worked hard on that project"). It was Two hours before I left, and I arrived 15 minutes late. Very good cookies....

Home Troop: Eagle kit, award, mentor pins, etc. Family: Cake, BBQ, hot dogs whatever. Picnic, campfire,.... My best Eagle ceremony of memory (other than Scoutson's) : Two Eagle'd friends arranged a campout on grandparents farm. Folks had to hike in about 500 yds with their camp chairs to the site. Everyone brought something, veggies, potato salad, etc. Ceremony with candles, smiles and solemnity. Memories shared. Flames stared into. After dark, when things were officially over, most of the old folks hiked out to home. The Scouts stayed around the campfire and I don't really think many actually went to sleep that night.

Check ScoutShop for "Scoutmaster Emeritus" shoulder patch. If it is an old one (even if it isn't too old), have lots of folks sign the Troop flag and award that to him. Buy a new one for the new Scoutmaster.

The VOA should contact the Scout Exec and ask about their "budget". If the Council really has a line item for the V's, then the VOA should plan some events (Hike-a-ree, Training session at a Council camp, bike tour of the Council Camps ( a century ride?), Shooting Sports Extravaganza, Cook-a-ree, Merit Badge Extravaganza, Scout-a-rama, name it, plan it, ) set up a budget for it and ask for help.... Nothing Ventured, nothing Scouted....

One big point is being missed in all the previous. Boys join Scouts on reputation. What are Scouts known for? What does the boy expect? And what is delivered? If the Troop culture is "get up and get going", older Scouts doing their thing, high adventure stuff, don't let these "kiddies" hold us back, yeah, the younger Scouts are going to be disappointed and drop out. They have, indeed , been left behind, sold a bill of goods, not had the reputation fulfilled. If the Troop culture is one of " here, let me show you how to do", "here, share my adventure, I understand you might not be able to hike 10 miles in one shot, I will wait for you.", " Scouting is worth while, let me help you up this rock". then, that young Scout will have the inclination to stick around. Go back to the previous post that mentioned the Scout Leader acting as the "older brother" to the younger Scout. Repeat that . If the culture is one of "Keep up or Drop out", yeah, some will stick it, but not those that need to stay . How to convince the Adult Leaders (could we invent a better term for the Boy Scout Troop Adult? Maybe Advocate? I dunknow...) to counsel their Scouts to BE that BIG BROTHER to the younger Scouts....

My suggestions to nascent Scouts and leaders is as follows: 1) If Big Pot is not being used for cooking, fill with water and put on stove/fire at first. Let it get to boiling. In any event, get a pot of water on to boil BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. 2) Use for cocoa, oatmeal, coffee, other cooking as needed, Dip out with "dedicated " dipper cup. 3) Water duty Scout keeps it near full. Keep on fire thru meal. 3) When it is time to do dishes, put out three tubs or however it is intended. Dip really hot water into #1 Wash tub, temper with cold water, add detergent. Dip really hot water into second rinse tub, temper with some cold water. Do the chlorine rinse in cold water third tub. 4) When first tub gets too dirty, dispose into "sump", move #2 into #1 position, add detergent. Temper with dipped hot water. First tub now becomes second. Hot water, temper with cold. Note that having boiling water ready BEFORE dishwashing is desired is a good thing. And SM likes the coffee first thing in morning. As an alternative to dishwashing, I also offer the Courageous Cookery plan, but this supposes individual cooking.... https://www.dropbox.com/s/je3wh2ao0u2fd4v/CourageousCookery.docx?dl=0 I have and can again copy this in toto onto these pages, but it is rather lengthy. Buon appetito. .

SMC is as has been described above. No pass, no fail. That said, if the Scout needs a skill at any given time (tie a knot, keep tent up in a storm), it might be good to "PRACTICE " that skill every so often. SPL might be encouraged to hold a knot tying Patrol competition . Make it a game. Patrols earn some bragging rights. One game I have seen: Scouts pair off. Each pair hold one pair of hands, (Tom's right hand holds Jeff's left hand ), then with their free hands, they do the knots! Cooperation? hoo hoo....

Usta be : Hot soapy water scrub, rinse clean, lower into boiling water in a mesh bag, hang to air dry. If it was really boiling water, the dishes dried very fast....

Child abuse of any sort should always be confronted and never be ignored. If someone (Scout, parent, whomever ) witnesses or hears of such or is the abused party, and they report that to the Scout authorities, on what basis do the BSA folks make their judgement, and it is a judgement? I would hope there would be an extensive investigation. I feel the idea is not to tar the person with too large a brush, for fear of being sued for defamation of character (?) Now, if the allegations are reported to the legal authorities, then , if the person is indeed found guilty in court of the charges.... Coming up, here in Alexandria VA, , ( this is how it is listed in our local eNews) the BSA sponsored National Youth Protection Symposium Discussion, workshops, networking, latest information and training on Youth Protection. Anyone, any organization that deals with young people is invited to attend. **Share with your Scout Unit, House of Worship, School, etc. What: Symposium on threats to our young people. When: 12 – 14 October, 2016 Where: Sheraton Suites Hotel, Old Town Alexandria, VA. What: Discussions, workshops, information, networking. Why : Because we love our kids. Because we want to recognize the unthinkable. How Do & How Much: See website: http://www.nationalyouthprotectionsymposium.org/ Check for updates and listing of featured speakers.

Oh, this is great. I like the ideas of being a "conservation" site, promoting native plants, pollinator food, all that . AND great publicity. AND public approbation. ""By next summer, Kietzman hopes to place two or more bee hives at the site. Their honey could be sold at the camp's trading post. Local beekeeper Brett Kent has been offering advice, including how to deter black bears that roam the camp."" How to deter black bears? Good luck. Maybe they can be enlisted as a n endorsement as to how good the honey is..... And maybe this will help prevent the Council from selling the camp....

JSN = Join Scouting Nights. Here abouts, we reserve some night at the school, do Cub Scouty things (PWDerby, etc. ) and sign folks up.

Wife complains to me when I do not "dress warm" when it starts getting cold. I know from my personal experience that when the summer is over and the winter is a comin', I need to turn up my personal thermostat. I will dress up later, when it does get cold. Body does produce more heat easier in winter than summer. Then too, come summer again, I go without cover so my internal thermostat dials down. I am less hungry,eat less, burn fewer calories. Last two Klondike Derbies were in late January, here in Murlin, we had wheelie sleds rather than sliding sleds.

Scooterdog: Welcome to the forums! You will get many a good idea here. There are a few of us here from Murlin, I'm in White Oak District. Some thoughts: Congrats on taking on CM. You will have nothing but fun, but do not try to do everything yourself. USE that committee. Ask for help, do not wait for volunteers. They will come, but not when you may need them. You and the CChair should TALK, be mucho sympatico, nicht wahr? *Good you have your Unitcomish. This must mean you already know the DE and DCommish. Put them on speed dial. * Look to the District and Council Training Calendar, get everybody trained. YP, everything else. EVERYBODY can take the CM training, couldn't hurt. DE can arrange a custom /for you/ all at once training, if that seems good. * Make a list of Pack activities, possible dates/months and pass it out to the parents . Ask each of them to take on ONE activity to shepherd . *Den Leaders: Train'em. Work together, but separate Dens. Put'em on "BALLOO'S BUGLE". Foster Den Pride with flag banners, stickers, special woggles for rewards for good behavior, neat cheers, funny skits, whatever. * Get everybody (somebody!) to RoundTable. I know you have a good one out there. Use it... See you on the trail....

Half of all science is the naming of stuff, so we can talk about it. I had a friend in Scouts (you out there, Henry?) who half jokingly explained to anyone who would listen that all plant science could (and should) be divided into "big green plants and small green plants". Sycamore trees and moss were aberrations of this lexicon. Mad Science helps kids get into science. The "Galloping Gertie" CONSOL Energy bridge at The Summit can teach about sympathetic resonance. One could learn about resonance by watching the Tacoma Narrows bridge shake itself to pieces https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw , or the Millenial Bridge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obWZ61zcDsU in London throw people about, but what better way to teach about such phenomena than to live it at the National Jamboree? Wish someone had caught a video of CONSOL rockin' that first day in 2013 as 8,000 Scouts tried to cross the CONSOL bridge to the Central Area from Camps A and B... Can we teach Scouting in the lab? Some of it, but certainly not all of it. IMNSHO, I think Scouting is meant to be 6/8 "outing" .

Money issues are always a concern, but compared to other activities, Scouting can easily be seen as a bargain. Sports? Buy the uniform, equipment, traveling teams, injuries, it can add up. Music, band? A good trombone can cost $800. A Stratocaster? Hey.... Zildjian cymbals? Look'em up. The Troop can ask around for "Campership' help. Your local service clubs (Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, American Legion, etc. ) are often eager to help. When we were in a low ebb financially, an anonymous donor (!) decided Scoutson should be the Troops' Trek Guide to Philmont before he aged out. We (he!) are "paying it forward". As to "boy led"... People (kids especially) learn by one of three means: Instruction, Example, or Practice. >>Instruction...History has to be Instruction. Someone who lived that time passes on what happened to those who come later. Books, word of mouth, video... >> Example... Kids will definitely learn from watching older people. Right from wrong, how to boil water, how one treats others. Hold the door open for the person behind you? Pick up that piece of trash? Your example, or that of the SPL.... Has it worked for them? It should work for me. This includes sympathy and concern for others' welfare, not just how to prevent blisters. >> Practice....Trying things out. How does one learn to walk except to do it? When Scoutson was about 13, he came to us and proudly announced to good wife and me "I just did my laundry!" GW and I looked at each other and smiled. I said, " Wonderful! How much soap did you use?" Scoutson replied, "Soap?" He is now a strapping young man of 22. When he was 16, he got a summer job with a local farmer. He is now the manager of the operation, at 22. He schedules work, assigns men to duties, plants and harvests, sees to repairs of equipment. His clothes get filthy, and he gets them clean. The bruises he got stumbling over obstacles are now callouses that cushion his efforts (how's that for metaphor?). Your Scouts are no different. Adults can teach, and some of your Scouts will claim expertise in a skill. Knots and ropes? Fire safety and building? Cooking? Let the new "experts" proudly pass on their knowledge to the younger Scouts. Trust? Encouragement? If your adults DEMONSTRATE these , what do you think the result will be in your Scouts? How do you build a fire? How do you safely cut firewood? If that lashing is not done right, tight and neat, what WILL happen to your Pioneering project? If the skills are not PRACTICED, how is one to become expert at them? If I ever need the help, if I have the choice, I would much rather have someone who has PRACTICED his CPR help me than one who only READ about it. But then, someone who has READ or BEEN LECTURED about CPR might be better than a "OhmygodhelpwhatdoIdohelphelp" type of person.... Read the motto under Eagle 94-A1 entries. See you on the trail...

Straw campaign hat? Isn't that the Park Ranger hat?

The usual story: Fresh out of out of state college, Loves Scouting, sees a chance to get paid to advance the Scout Movement. Signs on with our District, (previous DE is promoted to "Senior DE" at a struggling neighboring District after just over one year with us), we like him, does a good job, even did some FoS presentations. And now, after 3 months(!) is resigning, but is choosing to be our volunteer Pop Corn Kernel because he "likes the way we operate". I understand he already has a good job lined up already (two weeks notice). Ho hum....